Dear Colleagues,

Harlan has recently revised its health testing procedures and I am pleased to introduce our new program for 2007.  Harlan is committed to providing the highest quality animals to the research community and our health testing program provides assurance to you, our customers, that you are receiving these high quality animal models.

Harlan maintains microbiologically defined rodent and rabbit colonies within maximum security production barriers and flexible-film isolators.  Harlan-designed test profiles are utilized to monitor the colonies for pathogenic and opportunistic flora.  Details regarding the profile test parameters are available upon request.

Immunocompetent rodents from each maximum security rodent production barrier are evaluated every month, with a minimum of six animals submitted per room.  On a quarterly basis, weanlings are evaluated in addition to breeders/adults.  Colony residents, as well as sentinel animals, are utilized for testing.  Animals are selected for testing at random from throughout the colonies, from different cages (no more than one animal per cage), from different areas and racks throughout the rooms, and from sentinel cages housed on the bottom shelf nearest the exhaust.

Immunodeficient rodents housed in flexible-film isolators are routinely tested on a quarterly basis.  Both immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice and rats are submitted for health testing.  In addition to standard comprehensive health testing, immunodeficient mice are tested for Corynebacterium bovis and Pneumocystis murina and immunodeficient rats are tested for Pneumocystis carinii.

Harlan’s New Zealand White rabbits are produced in a maximum security production barrier facility specifically designed to maintain and produce pathogen-free rabbits.  Six adult rabbits are randomly selected from the colony and submitted for regular health monitoring every two months.  Additionally, two weanlings are submitted semi-annually for testing.  Harlan’s rabbit colony has consistently tested negative for Bordetella bronchiseptica and Pasteurella multocida since establishment.

Diagnostic Laboratory:  Harlan utilizes a third party, Missouri University Research Animal Diagnostic and Investigative Laboratory (RADIL), as the primary laboratory for routine health monitoring.  Additional commercial diagnostic laboratories are used as necessary. 

Clinical evaluations are performed on all animals submitted for testing.  Animals are given a thorough physical examination.  A descriptive report of the general physical condition of the animal, visible lesions, and clinical signs is provided.

Necropsy procedures include a gross examination of tissues, organs, and systems.  Rat colonies are evaluated for the presence of Idiopathic Lung Lesions (interstitial pneumonia) by histopathologic examination of lungs from 8-20 week old rats.  In hamsters, the ileocecal junction is examined histologically on a quarterly basis.  Abnormal discharges and other inflammatory processes are examined by culture and/or molecular diagnostic techniques (e.g. PCR), and organs or tissues with evidence of abnormal gross pathology are examined using histopathology. 

Microbiology procedures are used to monitor the effectiveness of the barriers as well as animal health. Aerobic and 7% carbon dioxide cultures of nasopharynx and aerobic cultures of cecum are examined for the presence of pathogens and opportunistic bacteria.  Additionally, Mycoplasma pulmonis, CAR bacillus, and Clostridium piliforme are monitored serologically and Corynebacterium bovis and Streptobacillus moniliformis are monitored using PCR.

Harlan considers the following bacteria significant in immunocompetent animals and they will be reported on all health monitoring summaries:   Citrobacter rodentium, Clostridium piliforme, Corynebacterium kutscheri, Helicobacter sp., Mycoplasma pulmonis, Pasteurella pneumotropica, Salmonella spp., Streptobacillus moniliformis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.  Harlan will immediately notify clients if any of these agents are identified within a Harlan rodent maximum security production barrier.

Additionally, Harlan considers the following bacteria significant in immunocompromised models: Citrobacter rodentium, Clostridium piliforme, Corynebacterium bovis, Corynebacterium kutscheri, Helicobacter sp., Mycoplasma pulmonis, Pasteurella pneumotropica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptobacillus moniliformis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus zooepidemicus.  The presence of these agents will result in the immediate termination of the production flexible-film isolator.

Parasitologic evaluations are performed using microscopic examinations for pathogenic and nonpathogenic ectoparasites and endoparasites.  The pelage is evaluated for mites and lice.  Jejunal and cecal contents and perianal cellophane tape impressions are evaluated for helminths and protozoa.
Serologic testing is used for the evaluation of Encephalitozoon cuniculi.

Serologic evaluations are performed on immunocompetent mice and primarily utilize MFI and ELISA, and secondarily IFA. 

Mice are tested for Mouse Hepatitis Virus (MHV); Mouse Parvovirus (MPV); Mouse Minute Virus(MMV); Sendai virus; Theiler’s Mouse Encephalomyelitis Virus (TMEV/GDVII); Pneumonia Virus of Mice (PVM); Rotavirus (EDIM); Mouse Adenovirus-1 (MAD-1); Mouse Adenovirus-2 (MAD-2); Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV); Ectromelia; Polyoma Virus; Mouse Norovirus [MNV]; Mouse Cytomegalovirus (MCMV);  Reovirus 3 [Reo 3]; Mouse Thymic Virus [MTV]; K virus; Hantaan virus; Clostridium piliforme [Tyzzer’s disease]; Encephalitozoon cuniculi; CAR bacillus; and Mycoplasma pulmonis.  An enzyme test is used for evaluation of Lactic Dehydrogenase-Elevating Virus [LDHV].

Rats are tested for Rat Coronavirus (RCV) (Sialodacryoadenitis Virus [SDAV]); Sendai virus; Pneumonia Virus of Mice (PVM), Rat Parvovirus (RPV); Kilham’s Rat Virus (KRV); Toolan’s H-1 (H-1) Parvovirus; Rat Minute Virus (RMV); Hantaan Virus; Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCM); Mouse Adenovirus-1 (MAD-1); Mouse Adenovirus-2 (MAD-2); Reovirus 3 (Reo3); Theiler’s Murine Encyphalomyelitis Virus (TMEV); Encephalitozoon cuniculi.; Clostridium piliforme [Tyzzer’s disease]; CAR bacillus; and Mycoplasma pulmonis.

Hamsters are tested for Pneumonia Virus of Mice (PVM);  Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCM); Reovirus 3 (Reo3); Sendai virus; Clostridium piliforme [Tyzzer’s disease]; Encephalitozoon cuniculi.; and Simian Virus 5 (SV-5).  PCR is used for evaluation for  Mycoplasma pulmonis.

Rabbits are tested for Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Treponema cuniculi; Clostridium piliforme [Tyzzer’s disease; CAR bacilllus;  Myxomatosis virus; Rabbit Hemmorhagic Disease Virus; and Toxoplasma sp.   

Harlan technicians and supervisors monitor the animals in the colonies seven days per week for clinical signs of disease, injury, or abnormal behavior.  Harlan personnel are trained through in-house training programs provided by our veterinary medical staff and supported by our highly skilled and experienced senior managers and supervisors. 

Reporting:  Harlan provides two summary microbiology reports, including a Quarterly Microbiologic Monitoring Report, which is updated quarterly and provides cumulative results for the past 18 months.  This report is available on the website and for those customers who have requested quarterly emails and/or mailings of the results.  Additionally, Current Microbiologic Monitoring reports are updated online as monthly results become available and are provided with each animal shipment.

If any significant changes occur in colony health and microbiologic status customers are notified immediately.  Findings are reported on our website and/or individuals who have requested to be placed on our contact list are advised by fax, phone or e-mail.  If you would like to be added to our contact list, have questions or require additional information, please contact Harlan Technical Services, technicalservices@harlan.com , or phone 1-800-793-7287.

Dr. Karla Stevens
Director of Laboratory Animal Medicine
Harlan North America

	Quarterly Health Summary: Rat, Mouse, Rabbit, Hamster & Cotton Rat
	Genetic Report: Mice and Rats
	Rat and Mouse Microbiological Significance Bacteriology & Parasitology